How to Say "Dog" in Spanish - How To Say Guide

perro

/ˈpero/masculine

The Spanish word for dog is perro. Wiktionary also lists can and tuso.

Meaning: animal (noun)

Ways to say it

The most common and standard term for a dog in Spanish is perro.

While perro is the common word for dog, can is a more formal or technical term.

can is a more formal or technical term often used in veterinary or scientific contexts.

The feminine form of perro is perra.

/ˈpero/

In some Spanish-speaking cultures, calling someone a perro can be a slang way to describe them as a womanizer or a flirt.
In Spanish, the word perra is not only the feminine form of dog but is also used as a strong insult toward women.
While 'perro' is the standard word, it may have originated as a pejorative term for a 'cur' before becoming the neutral word used today.

Vi a un perro.
I saw a dog.
Tatoeba #1667390 by marcelostockle, translation #378503 by CK
El perro es mío.
The dog is mine.
Tatoeba #508664 by Shishir, translation #493294 by CM
Ese es mi perro.
This is my dog.
Tatoeba #1551463 by Shishir, translation #67056 by CK
Me compré un perro raza labrador.
I bought a Labrador retriever.
Estudio el comportamiento canino.
I study canine behavior.
¡Mira ese perrito tan juguetón!
Look at that playful puppy!
En mi país, le decimos "chucho" a los perros sin raza.
In my country, we call mutts "chucho."
1304 more sentences on Tatoeba

Sofía and Mateo are at a park.

Sources

Wiktionary, “dog” translations and entries perro, can, tuso, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
Word origins: Wiktionary entries can, perro, tuso, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.

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